The Professional Training Option (PTO) is a Florida Department of Education approved pathway for non-education majors to complete the Professional Education component, one of the requirements to become a certified teacher in the State of Florida.

The Post Baccalaureate PTO consists of 18 credits and has been designed for those persons who hold a baccalaureate or higher degree in fields other than education and wish to enter the teaching profession.

Courses will be held at the University of Miami, Coral Gables campus. Courses will be offered in the evenings to accommodate working professionals.

Residency Requirements

Please note the following criteria before applying for the PTO-G.

Applicants must:

• have permanent residency in the United States
• have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher in an area OTHER than education (major or minor)

• TAL 540 Instruction in Secondary School
  Presentation and analysis of effective instruction in the secondary school.
• TAL 506 Issues & Strategies for ESOL
  This course provides a comprehensive foundation in ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) competencies based on Florida’s mandates and TESOL standards. Theory and practice will be emphasized in the areas of applied linguistics, cross cultural communication and understanding, methods of teaching, assessment, and curriculum and material development.
• TAL 504 Building Positive Relationships in Inclusive Secondary Schools
  Designed to assist general education teachers in meeting the needs of diverse secondary school students. Focus on students with disabilities, language and culture in the classroom, and developing culturally competent classroom management methods.
• TAL 554 Content Area Reading & Learning Strategies
  Literacy instruction in content areas for grades six through twelve; instructional methods and materials for development of language arts, reading, and study skills. Emphasis on appropriate materials, motivation, and support for students with exceptional needs and English language learners.
• TAL 632 Classroom & Behavior Management
  An examination of the principles of various theoretical perspectives of classroom management and discipline. Applications to the management of behavior problems of children and adolescents. Contemporary research analyzed and discussed. Writing intensive course.

• TAL 541 Instruction in Secondary English
  Analysis of methods, materials, and content appropriate for teaching language arts in the secondary school.
• TAL 542 Instruction in Secondary Mathematics
  Analysis of methods, materials, and content appropriate for teaching mathematics in the secondary school. Field experience required.
• TAL 543 Instruction in Secondary Science
  Analysis of methods, materials, and content appropriate for teaching science in the secondary school. Field experience required.
• TAL 544 Instruction in Secondary Social Studies
  Analysis of methods, materials, and content appropriate for teaching the social sciences in the secondary school.
• TAL 524 Fine Arts In Elementary School
  Content and methods for teaching art and music in the K-6 program. Emphasis is placed on the use of these disciplines to aid the classroom teacher in accomplishing academic objectives in developing well-rounded individuals.